Grassroots News & Progressive Views

Students in more than a dozen local high schools have announced plans to participate in a nationwide walkout organized by the Women’s March to protest gun violence on March 14th. The 17-minute walkout at 10 a.m. in each time zone is meant to honor the 17 lives lost in Parkland, Florida.

The San Diego Unified School Board unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday calling for federal background checks for gun and ammo purchases, a ban on semi-automatic firearms, high capacity magazines and bump stocks. It also called for the reinstatement of the federal assault weapons ban.

On Tuesday evening, several local high profile groups announced the creation of a new coalition, called San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention. Participating are members of the San Diego Brady Campaign Chapter, Sandy Hook Promise and Survivors Empowered. [Read more…]

The Center for Responsive Politics, says as of the end of 2017, Hunter has accepted $41,087 from the National Rifle Association. That puts him next to last among California’s Republican Congressman who have been supported by the NRA.

None-the-less, Hunter’s been front and center pushing the NRA’s line. Teachers who have served in the armed forces need to be armed: “Nobody is getting shot in these school shootings after an armed presence arrives.” [Read more…]

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At least three national protests are being organized in the wake of the Valentine’s Day killings in Parkland, Florida. Each is different in scope and substance, and all deserve support. And, no, three protests is not too many.

The Enough Walkout is a 17-minute protest scheduled for March 14.

March for Our Lives involves March 24 protests in Washington DC and cities around the United States.

The National School Walkout is a national student strike planned for April 20th.

This coming Saturday, thousands of workers, along with their families, friends, and allies in the community, will gather in San Diego to stand up for the rights of working Americans in the face of the impending Janus vs AFSCME decision by the Supreme Court that aims further rig the system against us. Against this assault, we will continue to insist on our right to form strong unions, raise our collective voice, and fight for equitable pay, affordable health care, civil rights, strong communities, and quality public education for all.

The only political mechanism American workers have ever had to address this is the labor movement and that is why most Americans should care about the fate of the labor movement, whether they are in a union or not.

So come on out this Saturday and stand with the American labor movement. The new Robber Barons of the Trump era can only prevail if we let them divide us. United, we can fight back and win a better future. [Read more…]

Legislation co-sponsored by San Diego Congressman Rep. Scott Peters has drawn the ire of civil rights organizations and advocates for the disabled. On Thursday as the House of Representatives passed the ADA Education and Reform Act (HR 620) by a 225-to-192 vote, with 12 Democrats joining all but 19 Republicans.

Supporters of the bill claim it is a reasonable reform aimed at stopping bad actors from abusing the law for personal gain. Opponents claim it limits the power of the Americans with Disabilities Act and turns back the clock on disability rights.

At issue is a change in the language currently requiring ‘providing access’ to making ‘substantial progress.’ This may seem like small potatoes to some, but for those who are wheelchair bound and still seeing access problems three decades after the original ADA was enacted, it’s a big deal. [Read more…]

There are thirty-eight events of interest to activists in San Diego over the next ten days. It’s safe to say the pace and intensity of progressive politics have not lessened as we enter into year two of Cadet Bone Spurs.

I have a few observations about our County so-called government to share before you get to the good stuff:

First Amendment eff up. Journalist Kelly Davis has worked diligently over the past few years exposing injustices in local government. The County of San Diego didn’t take kindly to her (along with Dave Maass) exposés concerning (60!) jail deaths at the SD County Jail. So they decided to drag her into court to reveal her notes, interviews, and recordings from the award-winning CityBeat series. She’s off the hook, for now, thanks to a judge with common sense. But there’s still a chance the County government will appeal. Read about it here. [Read more…]

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GOP Seeks to Decouple Debate from Spending Bill

Immigration Leader Rep. Luis Gutiérrez’s presence at San Diego State University for a “Defend the Dream” rally on Friday is coming at a time when the future for participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program looks bleaker by the day.

Congressman Gutiérrez, the co-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Immigration and Border Issues Task Force, along with Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democratic candidate in CA50, will be urging Congress to immediately remove the threat of deportation for nearly 800,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

Rep. Gutiérrez is the Capitol’s most outspoken advocate for a DACA “fix”, which has been delayed and deferred throughout a series of short-term spending resolutions by Congress. Nearly 30% of DACA recipients reside in California and, according to Alliance San Diego, 40,000 residents of San Diego County are DACA-eligible or DACA recipients.[Read more…]

I have no scandals to report on today. No political outrages that can’t wait. Instead, I want to pass along some success stories.

From Chicano Park to the Jacobs Center to Mission Valley and beyond, people stood up for noble causes and dedicated themselves to continued political action. There’s more to politics than working for a win in elections; community activism, education, and coalition-building go a long way toward getting desired results at the ballot box and improving opportunity. [Read more…]

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There are forty-two events of interest to activists in San Diego over the next ten days. It’s safe to say the pace and intensity of progressive politics have not lessened as we enter into year two of Our Dear Leader.

I have a few observations to share before you get to the good stuff:

Superbowl Sunday is this weekend. I remember when it was something I looked forward to…The Nunes Memo was released, and if you live in a fact-based reality, it was a dud…ICE, aka, Immigration and Customs Enforcement are rapidly becoming the secret police…[Read more…]

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Congressman Duncan D. Hunter’s dismal campaign finance reports have attracted national attention, and not in a good way. He raised a paltry $50,073 in the last three months of 2017 and spent $264,255, with $178,146 spent with five law firms. At the onset of 2018, the campaign had just $290,904 in the bank, less than half of what it did a year earlier.

Vape store owner Molly Sylvester was the sole donor living in the 50th Congressional District, contributing $2000 to the five-term Congressman’s re-election effort in the last three months of 2017. Other support came mostly from San Diego-area residents outside the district, D.C. lobbyists, and out-of-state political action committees.

Two strong Democratic opponents have emerged in the supposedly Ruby Red 50th, and both outraised Hunter, accord to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. [Read more…]

How can we make sure the Blue Wave washes some of the sludge out of local government?

By rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. Early. Like now. And that’s what the San Diego County Democratic Party and many local activists are doing. And there is still time for YOU to get in on the action.

It’s the middle of ‘winter’ in San Diego, and this calendar lists eight canvassing efforts, along with four forums giving people an opportunity to see candidates in person over the next week or so. Bravo! [Read more…]

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I know you didn’t create this presidential havoc all by yourselves, but you are, after all, the bellwether state in presidential elections. People say if a candidate doesn’t win Ohio, he or she can’t become President.

So I thought I’d start sharing with you some concerns I have, as you will most likely be vetting our next president. I know there are some Ohioans who profoundly dislike us Californians, but on the chance that some of you still consider us part of the United States of America, perhaps you will take a moment and read this letter. [Read more…]